The land of pharaohs, the home to the Pyramid of Giza, and several historical sites, Egypt is a treat for both the eyes and the brain.

For a country so steeped in timelessness and ethereal beauty, planning a trip can take up a lot of time.

After all, there is so much to see in such a limited time. This is why our advice would be for you to spend at least 7 days in Egypt to have a wholesome experience. You can use this 7 day Egypt itinerary to help you plan the trip. 

However, if you are planning an 8-day trip to this ancient land, here is an 8-day itinerary that will take you all around the immortal cities of Cairo, Luxor, and Hurghada. 

So what are we waiting for? Let’s begin!

Day 1: Arrival in Cairo – Pyramids Tour 

Upon reaching Cairo, take some time to relax in your hotel. After resting for a bit, start your tour around Cairo with a visit to the magnificent Pyramids of Giza, which will mesmerise you with their magnificence.

Next, you should visit the Dahshur and Saqqara Pyramids, located in Badarshein at a distance of 12.4 km from each other. 

The Giza Plateau additionally includes the Sphinx and the Valley Temple. The Sphinx is called Giza’s guardian and has the face of King Khafre and the body of a lion. The Valley Temple was used for the mummification process in ancient Egypt. 

Day 2: Tour of Bahariya Oasis and White Desert

On Day 2, travel to the White Desert in a 4*4 jeep, which is approximately 540 km away from Cairo.

On the way to the White Desert, visit the gorgeous Black Desert and Crystal Mountain, and take a dip in the natural hot water spring.

You can also stop at the Valley of Agabat for sandboarding. Upon reaching the White Desert, set up your tent, have your dinner in the Bedouin style, and spend the night under the pristine starry sky. 

Day 3: Back to Cairo and Travel to Luxor

Spend the morning enjoying the beautiful sunrise and exploring the White Desert. After breakfast, travel back to Bahariya Oasis and then Cairo. Have lunch in Cairo and take an overnight train to Luxor. 

Day 4: Visit Luxor East Bank

Luxor East Bank is home to the famous Karnak Temple Complex and Luxor Temple. Karnak Temple is known as the most significant religious site in the world and houses the shrines of the ancient Egyptian gods, such as Isis, Ptah, and Osiris.

It is also dedicated to the Theban Triad, Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. 

After Karnak Temple, visit Luxor Temple. The Luxor Temple is stunning not only in its architecture but also because of its resilience. It has stood through floods and foreign invasions for thousands of years.

Amenhotep III began the construction of the temple, which was continued by Tutankhamun, Alexander the Great, Ramesses II, and other pharaohs. 

Day 5: Hot Air Balloon Ride and Visit West Bank Luxor

On Day 5, enjoy an unparalleled video of the sunrise on a Hot Air Balloon ride. After breakfast, continue your tour to the Luxor West Bank. 

Once there, you must visit Thebes’ city of the dead, otherwise known as the Valley of Kings. The Valley of Kings has the tombs of 63 kings of Thebes, including the tombs of Ramesses III and Seti I. You can also visit the famous tomb of King Tutankhamun. 

Your next stop is the Colossi of Memnon and the Temple of Hatshepsut. The Colossi of Memnon has two giant statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who stands in front of his funerary temple.

The Temple of Hatshepsut is also called the masterpiece of ancient architecture and was built as a mortuary temple by the famous female Pharaoh Hatshepsut. 

Later, take a bus to Hurghada. Hurghada is best known for its picturesque beaches, watersports, the Hurghada Grand Aquarium, and Giftun Island. This is why its a good place for the marine life lovers.

Day 6: Giftun Island Tour and Snorkelling

Take a short boat trip to Giftun Island in the morning. Giftun Island is a full-day trip with adventure activities such as snorkelling and scuba diving. Visit the gorgeous beaches of Orange Bay, Mahmya, and Paradise Island.

Take a boat to the emerald blue waters of the Red Sea and go snorkelling. If snorkelling is not your thing, you can choose to swim or go scuba diving instead.

Day 7: Return to Cairo 

On day 7 of the tour, take a bus back to Cairo. You are free to enjoy the rest of your day as you want after arriving in Cairo.

Day 8: Cairo City Tour, Khan-el-Khalili Market, and Departure

On Day 8, visit the other key attractions of Cairo. This includes the Egyptian Museum and NMEC Museum. The museums are home to a vast collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts and showcase the culture and history of Egypt.

Other places worth visiting include the famous Coptic Christian Church – Hanging Church, and the Cairo Citadel. Built in the 12th century, the Citadel offers a breathtaking view of the city.

You can also visit the vibrant and popular Khan-el-Kahlili market. It is a perfect place to purchase souvenirs, jewellery, antiques, and beautiful handicrafts. You can also enjoy the street food and traditional Arabic coffee and get the vibe of Egypt’s culture. 

After returning from the market, you will depart for the Cairo airport, full of beautiful memories.

We hope this itinerary made you excited about your trip to Egypt. If you want to experience the ancient civilisation in all its glory, consider spending at least 10 days there.

The 10 day Egypt itinerary will help you in exploring everything worth exploring and have two additional days to enjoy the wonders of Egypt.